The Ultimate Move-In Cleaning Checklist for Singapore Homes
By MyCleanHome · July 2026 · 7 min read
Moving into a new home feels like a fresh start. But even properties handed over as "clean" by previous occupants or landlords have accumulated grime in areas that haven't been touched in years: behind appliances, inside wardrobe corners, underneath kitchen hoods, in window tracks.
The move-in clean is the only time you will ever have full, unobstructed access to every surface. Once the sofa, bed and wardrobes are in, those areas become inaccessible for years. Clean before you unpack — always.
Before you start: document the condition first
Walk through the empty unit and photograph everything — pre-existing damage, marks, any mould or grime — with timestamped photos. This protects you against future landlord claims. Check that all appliances work, all lights function and all fixtures are intact before signing the handover.
Room-by-room move-in checklist
Kitchen
- Hood interior and filter — previous cooking grease accumulates heavily even when the exterior looks clean
- Oven interior — check for baked-on residue
- Fridge interior — all shelves, drawers, door seals and rubber gasket
- All cabinet interiors — every shelf, every drawer runner, every corner
- Sink and taps — descale limescale deposits
- Countertops and backsplash — wipe down, check grout for mould
- Behind and under fridge and stove while still accessible
- Floor edges and corners
Bathrooms
- Toilet bowl inside and out — including under the rim and the base
- Tile grout — inspect for mould, especially at shower or bath junctions
- Shower screen — soap scum and limescale from previous occupants
- All taps and fixtures — descale thoroughly
- Basin and vanity interior
- Exhaust fan cover — dust accumulation
- Floor drain cover — remove and clean
Bedrooms
- Wardrobe interiors — all shelves, rails, surfaces and drawer runners
- Ceiling fan blades and housing
- Air-conditioning unit exterior and visible trunking
- Window tracks and sills — almost never cleaned at handover
- Under built-in beds — vacuum and mop underneath
- Floors — vacuum edges before mopping
Living and dining areas
- All windows — interior glass, frames, tracks and sills
- Built-in shelving interiors — tops and backs of shelves
- Light switches and power sockets
- Skirting boards throughout
- Floors — vacuum then mop all areas
Utility and yard
- Washing machine connection area — check for mould or residue
- Utility shelves and surfaces
- Yard drain and cover
- Yard floor and walls
The case for professional move-in cleaning: A professional team covers every item on this list in a single session. For a Singapore HDB or condo, a move-in clean costs $200–$380 — far less than the hours of weekend work doing it yourself, and more thorough. Book before your furniture arrives.
If you find issues at handover
Flag major cleanliness problems to the landlord before formally accepting keys. Once you sign the handover, issues become much harder to attribute. Timestamped photos taken before handover acceptance are your best protection.
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